SIKI IN SIX.

NZ Truth, Issue 881, 14 October 1922, Page 8

SIKI IN SIX.

Carpentier Beaten m Brief and Bitter Battle. The boxing world woke up and rubbed its eyes m surprise and'wonderment last week-end, when the news came through of Battling Siki's (a Senegalese) victory oyer Georges Carpentier, at Paris, m six rounds. And now, Siki, who had previously been considered somewhat of a joke, despite his unbroken run of victories over France's lesser pugilistic lights, is being hailed a coming world's title holder from all quarters. Gleaning- from a picture of the bier black, Siki is a splendidly set-up and well-proportioned man, weighing twelve stone odd. . His legs are not over-heavy nor yet l.ght, but nicely made, evidencing both speed and endurance. His torso Is well muscled and finely developed, and his arms fairly lengthy and, thick. A bull-like neck supports' a bullet head, m which a square jaw is very much m evidence. Humorously confident of his own prowess, this dusky giant has for a couple of years made Paris his home, and swaggered around the city, challenging everybody near his weight. As a fighter he has been described as being one of those strong, game fellows who rise to occasion when an opponent draws the best out jOf themA man who fights faster if his foe does and one whoso skill increases and exhibits itself when the necessity arises. . • And what a hiding this arrogantly confident coloured gentleman handed Georges. Not only d>d Siki win, but he battered and bashed Carpentier into a semi-unconscious and bleeding condition m six rounds. In the opening session Carpentier evidently held his man cheaply, and boxed' contemptuously. Siki was nervous, but maile the round even. The second saw the black improve; and by the third he was well into his stride and making the fight. .. During the fourth hs punched Carpentier unmercifully with both hands, and closed one of his i.yes. The fifth was again all Siki, aad the "gentlemanly" Frenchman-, unable to execute damage with his fists, commenced to butt with his head and was cautioned. Siki, by the sixth, saw victory clearly, and went for Carpentier with both hands going. Georges fell to the canvas during the round, and everybody present thought Siki had knocked his man. The referee, however, called ..foul, and declared Carpentier the winner, alleging that . Siki had j tripped him; but the ringside judges -overruled his decision and awarded Siki the victory on a knockout. Carpentier was unaMe to rise, and was carried from the ring- bleeding ■ and dazed. A subsequent medical examination revealed that he had sprained an ankle. f Siki's win was a revelation of the man's true worth, and he should now set out' after the world's heavy title. Strange as it may seem, Carpentier, ' the loser, got 200,000 dollars, and Siki, the winner, RO.OOO dollars. Siki now states his intention of going after Jack Dempsey. •